Pakistani gang-rape victim appeals to Supreme Court

Pakistani gang-rape victim Mukhtaran Mai (R) is escorted by a policewoman and a friend as she leaves the Supreme Court in Islamabad, 27 June 2005. Pakistan's Supreme Court was to hear an appeal against the acquittal of five men who allegedly gang-raped Mai on the orders of a village council, in a case that sparked international outrage. Mai, 33, was raped for more than an hour in June 2002 on the orders of a tribal council at Meerwala in the central province of Punjab, as punishment for her brother's alleged affair with a woman from a powerful rival clan. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

Fujian residents set out first Matsu tour

On June 27, tourists from Fujian set sail for Matsu from Mawei.The first tourists' group are comprised of 86 Fuzhou residents. This marks the launch of Fujian residents' tour to Matsu and the further progress on the two-way direct trip at sea across the Taiwan Straits. It is learned that the group is scheduled to spend three days and two nights in Matsu.

Stamps issued to mark the 600th anniversary of Zheng He's maritime expedition

China National Philatelic Corporation issued First Day Cover with stamp sheetlet and a set of commemorative stamps featuring the theme of the 600th anniversary of Zheng He's maritime expedition on June 28, 2005.

"Tibet in the eyes of 100 photographers" activity kicks off

Foreign photographers shoot photos for a Tibetan girl in traditional festival costumes. Nearly 100 photographers from 22 countries and regions have taken part in an activity named "Tibet in the eyes of 100 photographers". The photographers will present a real Tibet, which is mysterious, ancient and rapidly developing, through their lens to the outside world.

"Commemorative exhibition on 600th anniversary of Zheng He's maritime expedition" to open in July

The photo features a model of Zheng He's treasure ship displayed at the "Commemorative exhibition on 600th anniversary of Zheng He's maritime expedition". The setup of the exhibition was completed at the National Museum of China June 27 in Beijing. The exhibition, co-sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and the National Museum of China will be held from July 6 to Oct 7 in Beijing.

Hepatitis vaccination sickens over 200

A doctor performs a cardiac checkup on a pupil sickened in the hepatitis A vaccination in Sixian County, Anhui Province June 27. Three health workers have been detained after the hepatitis A vaccination programme killed a six-year-old student in Shuiliu Primary School and made more than 200 others ill. Many students reported dizziness, breathing difficulties and limb numbness after village doctors vaccinated about 2,500 students in 19 schools in 17 villages, a move without official permission, according to local police. Premier Wen Jiabao has called on local goverments to make every possible effort to save these pupils sickened in the vaccination. (newsphoto)

Protest calling for release of Palestinian prisoners

A Palestinian raises his chained hand in front of a picture of a prisoner during a protest calling for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, in Gaza June 27,2005. At least 8500 Palestinian prisoners are being held in Israeli jails, Palestinian officials said. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Occupation of Iraq condemned

Members of the jury (from L) Malaysian Chandra Muzafar, French Francoise Houtart, Indian novelist and militant Arundathi Roy raise their fists after Roy read the final decision of the World Tribunal on Iraq (WTI), 27 June 2005, in downtown Istanbul. The WTI, an anti-war grouping of non governmental organisations (NGO`S), intellectuals and writers, on Monday harshly, if symbolically, condemned the US, Briatin and their allies for the occupation of Iraq. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

RoboCup 2005 to be held in Osaka, Japan

This combo picture shows Japanese robot venture Vstone's new humanoid robot "VisiON Nexta", 47.5cm in height and 3.1kg in weight, showing its abitity to kick a ball during a press preview in Tokyo 27 June 2005 on the upcoming RoboCup 2005 which will be held in Osaka in July. Over 400 teams from 35 countries will compete at the RoboCup, robot's world cup soccer tournament. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

Microsoft, Toshiba to develop DVDs

Microsoft Corporation Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates (L) shakes hands with Japan's Toshiba Corporation President and CEO Atsutoshi Nishida at a press conference at a Tokyo hotel, 27 June 2005. Microsoft Corp. and Toshiba Corp. announced a significant expansion of the companies' global relationship to enhance the development and delivery of innovative digital consumer electronics products and personal computers by sharing each other's respective hardware and software technologies. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

Milan fashion week

Models wear creations from Italian designers Dolce & Gabbana's Spring/Summer 2006 men's collection during Milan fashion week 26 June 2005. (Xinhua/AFP photo)

Vice Premier Wu Yi meets with Denmark's Deputy Prime Minister

Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi (R) meets with Denmark's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Economic and Business Affairs Bendt Bendtsen (L) in Beijing, capital of China, on June 28, 2005.

Teary Thai orphans bid farewell to Beijing

Wu Yandan (B), a nurse of the General Hospital of PLA Second Artillery Force hugs a Thai orphan at the Beijing Capital Airport June 27, 2005. Having spent seven days sightseeing in Beijing, 12 Thai orphans bid farewell to their Chinese "relatives" at the airport before going home. The Thai orphans who have lost their parents in the Indian Ocean Tsunami are in Beijing to participate in the "Rainbow after storm" activity sponsored by the Red Cross Society of China in Beijing.

Arroyo sorry for election controversy

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appears on a television screen as she addresses the country in a telecast from Manila's Malacanang palace June 27, 2005. Arroyo has apologized for talking with an election official about her hopes for a million-vote margin in last year's ballot.

Miss Czech wins the best Miss Disco contest of Miss Tourism International 2005

Miss Czech Gabriela Korinkova (C), Miss Australia Carly Hanson (R2) and Miss Pakistan Zaomi Zaman (L2) took the centre stage of Prize-Awarding Ceremony for the best Miss Disco contest of Miss Tourism International 2005 on June 25, 2005. More than 60 contestants from around the world participated the best Miss Disco contest finals that day. Finally, Miss Czech claimed the title of the best Miss Disco, and Miss Australia and Miss Pakistan won the 1st and 2nd runner-up respectively.

China beat India to qualify for the world champs

China's men's volleyball team beat their Indian rivals in the Asian qualifiers for the world champs. Chinese spikers crushed the Indians in straight games 25-23, 25-23, and 25-21 on Sunday's match in Group E.

China's capital market at crucial turning point: CSRC chairman

Shang Fulin, chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), speaks to reporters at a press conference held at the Information Office of the State Council, China's cabinet, in Beijing, June 27, 2005.China's capital market is at a crucial turning point of development, said Shang here on Monday.

Rainstorm-afflicted Fuzhou Railway Station reopens

Passengers walk in order to take their train at Fuzhou Railway Station in east China's Fujian Province, June 27, 2005. The rainstorm-afflicted Fuzhou Railway Station was reopened to traffic Monday and expects full normal operation by Wednesday, said sources with the station.

India marks International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

A man prepares to fly a kite with a slogan against drug abuse on an activity to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in New Delhi, India on June 26, 2005. India held various activities to mark the day on Sunday.

60th anniversary of the birth of the Charter of the United Nations marked

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan (1st, L) delivers a speech at the United Nations headquarters in New York, the United States, June 27, 2005. The UN headquarters held a conference to mark the 60th anniversary of the birth of the Charter of the United Nations. The charter, signed on June 26, 1945 in San Francisco, marked the founding of the Untied Nations.

Premier Wen makes inspection tour in Tianjin municipality

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L) inspecting a waste water recycling workshop of a sewage treatment plant in north China's Tianjin Municipality. Wen made an inspection tour in Tianjin from June 24 to 26.